Congress Leader Jitu Patwari Slams MP Government Over Anand Nagar Demolition Orders
State Congress President Jitu Patwari on Saturday met with the business community and traders of Govindpura assembly constituency in Bhopal, following a government order that instructed the pulling down of shops in the Anand Nagar area. The meeting took place amidst growing tension and concern among local shopkeepers who face displacement after decades of operation.
Strong Condemnation of Demolition Orders
Patwari strongly condemned the demolition orders issued for the Anand Nagar area, describing this government action as inhumane, insensitive, and fundamentally anti-poor. He expressed deep frustration with the administration's decision, drawing a stark comparison to what he termed Taliban-like governance that disregards the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Generational Livelihoods at Stake
The Congress leader emphasized that people have earned their living from these shops for three generations over three to four decades, establishing deep roots in the community. He argued that the government was failing to provide fair compensation or alternative land where these businesses could relocate, putting hundreds of livelihoods in jeopardy.
Patwari's Direct Address to Media
Speaking to reporters in the Anand Nagar area, Jitu Patwari stated: "This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new India, where people's livelihood is being snatched away from them. There is no employment generation in the country. In Madhya Pradesh, we have a BJP government for 25 years where land is acquired, and either no compensation is paid, or extremely low payment is made while land is taken from farmers."
He further elaborated: "Now in the urban areas, we are seeing that people who resided here for 30 to 40 years, their stalls and shops are being bulldozed. Their only means of livelihood is being usurped from them. There are 200 shop-owners here who are in debt, but no one is willing to listen to them. And through a conspiracy, they are being betrayed while Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 is being paid as compensation."
Political Context and Historical Representation
The PCC chief recalled that for the last 40 years, the Govindpura assembly constituency has consistently elected BJP MLAs. This includes former chief minister Babulal Gaur, who represented the seat for 10 consecutive terms, and the current MLA Krishna Gaur, who is his daughter-in-law and serves as a cabinet minister in the state government.
Patwari pointedly questioned: "There is a BJP MLA from the Govindpura assembly seat. She is presently a minister. A former chief minister also represented this seat. So who were the people who elected the BJP's MLAs from here? Wasn't it the same people whose shops are being ravaged now? Why is the government trying to take away their livelihood?"
Congress's Firm Stand and Demands
The Congress leader issued clear instructions to the district Congress committee, stating: "I instructed the district Congress that no shops will be broken here till appropriate compensation is paid as per the prevailing market rate. Or else the government must give land for the establishment of their shops elsewhere. This kind of orders are passed by Taliban-like governments. We will not permit the Madhya Pradesh government to become dictatorial."
The situation highlights growing tensions between the opposition Congress party and the ruling BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over urban development policies and their impact on small business owners and traders who have operated in these areas for generations.
